- Keith Malcom, Executive Director, Ext. 1521
- Patricia Pimentel, Coordinator, Ext. 1523
- Nancy Rojas, Coordinator, Ext. 1525
- Gloria Velarde, District Resource Teacher, Ext. 1552
- Lorena Beifuss, District Resource Teacher, Ext. 1506
Building Cultural Bridges
The Chula Vista Elementary School District recognizes that the complex and diverse needs of a growing and changing population possessing a variety of values, backgrounds, and preparations pose special challenges for educators, business leaders, and policy makers in the United States.
The Dual Language Immersion program can provide unique teaching and learning opportunities for all its participants: students, parents, teachers, administrators, and communities. Dual Language Immersion education serves as a linguistic and cultural bridge for all, and it helps to embrace and promote linguistic and cultural pluralism inside and outside the school. The District is committed to supporting our schools in offering Dual Language Immersion programs that will prepare our future citizens with the necessary academic and linguistic competencies to be highly qualified individuals and to be competitive in a global society.
What is the Dual Language Immersion Program?
The Dual Language Immersion Program is a language-oriented program designed to build fluency in both Spanish and English. Native Spanish and English-speaking children have the opportunity to develop their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in both languages. With more than 2,000 students overall, the District's Dual Language Immersion program is one of the fastest growing in the District.
There are 21 schools that offer a Dual Language Immersion program
- Arroyo Vista Charter
- Camarena (Enrique) Elementary
- Chula Vista Learning Community Charter (Schoolwide)
- Clear View Elementary
- Discovery Charter
- EastLake Elementary
- Feaster Charter
- Harborside Elementary
- Hedenkamp (Anne & William) Elementary
- Heritage Elementary
- Lauderbach Elementary
- Liberty Elementary
- Loma Verde Elementary
- Los Altos Elementary
- Muraoka Elementary
- Rice (Lillian J.) Elementary
- Salt Creek Elementary
- Silver Wing Elementary
- Tiffany Elementary
- Valle Lindo Elementary
- Valley Vista Elementary
- Veterans Elementary
Students develop full oral and reading and writing proficiency in two languages. To learn more about Dual Language Immersion Program, view the Dual Language Immersion Program for parents below:
Dual Language Immersion Program (English) click here
Dual Language Immersion Program (Spanish) click here
Dual Language Parent Resources (English) click here
Dual Language Parent Resources (Spanish) click here
Results from Dual Language Immersion Program
Recent studies indicate this Dual Language Immersion model is one of the most successful programs in teaching a second language. This program offers a unique opportunity for English-speaking students to become bilingual and biliterate in both English and Spanish. English-speaking students acquire Spanish without risk to their academic achievement and English proficiency. Spanish-speaking students acquire English while maintaining their primary language, thereby allowing for higher levels of English language achievement.
Student Enrollment
Program participation is on a voluntary basis. Parents are encouraged to become familiar with the Dual Language Immersion Program before they decide to enroll their child. It is recommended that English-speaking students enroll in kindergarten or first grade. For the Spanish-speaking student, placement is also recommended at the primary grades. If there is no space available, the student will be placed on a waiting list by language (English, Spanish, or bilingual).
Data on Dual Language Immersion Program
- Currently, there are more than 108 programs in the state.
- Most operate in Spanish and English.
- Most exist at the elementary level.
- Many programs continue through middle and high school.